catdaddyp

Dall and Jones are on campus. Looks like Rabah, Cheatom, and Moore have yet to arrive.

Senior “OLB” Ryan McClain is no longer listed on the roster. He did not see the field in 2022. Corey Thomas is still listed as “OLB” but I don’t know if that’s accurate.

Redshirt freshman Anthony Stallworth is no longer listed on the roster. He came in with the 2022 class, but did not see any action.

Brycen Yarmo is no longer listed on the roster. That should put us at 5 scholarship tight ends with 1 former walk-on.

Looks like the roster is still being updated, but former Walk-on WR Jameel Williamson is no longer listed. I’m guessing the freshmen trio of Norton, Louis, and Davis will not be early enrollees. Also, Anthony Williams is still listed as a RB. We’ll see if that changes.

Top 5 HS/JUCO Offensive Line (in my opinion): 1) NORTHERN ILLINOIS - Michael Jimmar HUDL FILM 2) CENTRAL MICHIGAN - Jacob Booth HUDL FILM 3) NORTHERN ILLINOIS - Thomas Paasch HUDL FILM 4) TOLEDO - Cole Rhett HUDL FILM 5) WESTERN MICHIGAN - Luke Zanotti HUDL FILM

Top 5 HS/JUCO Tight Ends (in my opinion): 1) WESTERN MICHIGAN - Brennan Wooten HUDL FILM 2) AKRON - Conner Cravaack HUDL FILM 3) CENTRAL MICHIGAN - Jesiah Stevens-Silva HUDL FILM 4) WESTERN MICHIGAN - Jack Parker HUDL FILM 5) BOWLING GREEN - Jacob Harris HUDL FILM

Top 5 HS/JUCO Wide Receivers (in my opinion): 1) OHIO - Chase Hendricks HUDL FILM 2) EASTERN MICHIGAN - Joe Walker HUDL FILM 3) BUFFALO - Jevell Fugerson HUDL FILM 4) AKRON - Paul Davis HUDL FILM 5) WESTERN MICHIGAN - Logan Lester HUDL FILM

Yep, EMU certainly seems to be recruiting at a high level. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought I heard they have been heavily investing in their football program. If Buffalo can get an offense to match their defense, they will be cooking. They need better QB play. Jamari Ford is more of a utility back and not an every down back due to his size. He is explosive though and will probably see time in the slot and especially as a returner on special teams. I think Western Michigan had an off-balanced class. Very top heavy and Hartwell definitely lands with some of their guys at the top.

Top 5 HS/JUCO Running Backs (in my opinion): 1) EASTERN MICHIGAN- Deion Brown HUDL FILM 2) OHIO - Rickey Hunt HUDL FILM 3) BUFFALO - Jamari Ford HUDL FILM 4) BUFFALO - Lamar Sperling HUDL FILM 5) WESTERN MICHIGAN - Tre Hartwell HUDL FILM

Agree, CMU really lucked out as Jefferson is probably the most physically gifted out of the bunch. I’d be happy with commitments from any of the top 4. I think Steele and Jefferson have the most potential. In his film, Steele was often creating plays due to the pocket breaking down. Seems to me he could thrive in the right system and do plenty of damage with his legs and arm. Winters is the most polished and throws a beautiful ball. He is also a surprisingly good runner. JUCO QBs usually aren’t as highly recruited as HS QBs, but Udengwu definitely seems to be a good one from his film. He has 3 years to play 2 so he doesn’t have quite as long to contribute as the HS prospects. An argument could be made for any type of reordering amongst the top 4. Maybe I’m a little biased, but I think Steele has the best chance at being the most successful due to the scheme he’ll be playing in and who will be coaching him.

Top 5 HS/JUCO Quarterbacks (in my opinion): 1) AKRON - Steele Wasel HUDL FILM 2) CENTRAL MICHIGAN - Tyler Jefferson HUDL FILM 3) OHIO - Jacob Winters HUDL FILM 4) EASTERN MICHIGAN - Ike Udengwu HUDL FILM 5) TOLEDO - RJ Johnson HUDL FILM

I should have also added how impressive it is to even be in the conversation with the upper level of the MAC at this stage. It’s hard to recruit to a program that hasn’t won much recently and it takes a special type of competitor willing to make that leap. If the wins roll in like I expect, I bet the 2024 class will be dynamite.

Depends on how the HC wants everything set up. In general, one of the coaches is assigned “Recruiting Coordinator” and he assigns territory for each coach to recruit. Position coaches will still have a part in recruiting someone at their position no matter what territory. The Director of Recruiting has a wide range of responsibilities from watching film, coordinating visits and camps, making sure contact is being made with recruits, etc. A number of teams also hire a Director of On-Campus recruiting. Typically position coaches have the ability to offer scholarships to whoever they wish, but in the end the HC will have the final say of who the priority targets are.

Very true.

A number of traits like being able to relate to the kids and families, having an eye for talent, being honest and up front with the kids (and HS coaches), knowing which kids will fit in best with the program, ability to project which position a player will best fit, able to sell the program regardless of location or record. I think Rodriguez had a hand in more than just the 4 recruits he was given credit for. And I imagine that could be said for all the coaches listed. I know Rodriguez was very active in recruiting the state of Florida no matter the position.

Looks like they go by the number of commits they think each coach was responsible for signing. Regardless, they hit the nail on the head with Rodriguez. I also think Renna is one of the stronger recruiters on staff.

Below is the order I believe the 2023 recruiting classes (including portal players) should be ranked. To be honest, there is such little separation between the top 8 teams they could be ranked in a number of different ways. Ball State and Bowling Green are close to each other but have a bit of a drop off from the top 8. Kent State is next. Northern Illinois easily holds down the last spot in my opinion. 1) Eastern Michigan 2) Buffalo 3) Toledo 4) Miami 5) Akron 6) Western Michigan 7) Ohio 8) Central Michigan 9) Ball State 10) Bowling Green 11) Kent State 12) Northern Illinois I’m sure more portal players will be added at some point. We landed a handful in April last year (including Thompson, Whigan, and George). Bowling Green moved their spring practice up to get a better idea of who will transfer out and try to get ahead of the portal window.

I’m not really sure where he fits in. Both staffs have tried to use him in a pass rushing capacity, but to no avail. He did not excel at Nickel and will probably have a hard time holding off the incoming DBs at Safety (assuming he’s currently ahead of them). We only use 2 linebackers and they require a different build and skillet than Thomas brings. “OLBs” are basically specialists in the 4-2-5 defense as they are mostly used to sub in for the Nickel against heavier sets. Those guys need to bring something else to the table such as the flexibility to play defensive end. Itll be interesting to see how it pans out.

Here are a few thoughts on Paul Davis’ film. He is absolutely worthy of his 3 star ranking and this may turn out to be a situation like Landers of last year where a kid who should be playing P5 landed with us in the end. 1st Highlight - Davis isn’t necessarily explosive getting out of his stance, but he has long strides and deceptive speed. Watch how he high points the ball in the air and catches it with his hands extended away from his body. He then has the hand strength to hang onto the pass while surrounded by guys who are bumping into him and swiping at the ball. Next highlight (starting at 0:18) - Davis displayed his body control and hand/eye coordination. When the camera zooms to Davis he is being bumped and the defender has a hand up in his line of vision. Davis again caught the ball away from his body and demonstrated his hand strength (although would rather see him immediately tuck the catch in). Often receivers are unable to make the reception when defenders are bumping them along the route. Really impressive catch. Highlight on kickoff return (catches ball at 1:00 mark) - Davis is unlikely to be a kick returner at the college level and I’m not highlighting his weaving through the traffic. Instead, notice how he runs through several ankle tackles and hardly breaks stride as he gets closer to midfield and beyond. He is slowed down some, but soon kicks it back up to his top gear. That’s natural balance, lower body strength, and body control some players do not have. WR screen for touchdown (starting at 1:38) - Davis understands angles. Watch how he catches the ball and allows his blocks to set up. Davis started running in one direction and then made a subtle move to make the defender miss before getting vertical. Knowing when to push sideways and when to get vertical is one trait that separates players who will make it at the college level. Next highlight (starting at 1:57) - Davis again turned a simple screen into a touchdown. I’m not going to say much about this one is except he looks like a man among boys here. I’m guessing the team he is playing against isn’t exactly top tier. It’s sometimes hard to gauge a receiver when their whole highlight film is running and catching deep routes, but Davis makes plays in a variety of ways

I’m not too sold on C. Thomas staying on the two deep at S tbh. I just wasn’t sure where to slot him and where he fits in. DE would be the natural answer, but he hasn’t put on the needed weight and was moved back to the secondary. A freshman may take over that spot sooner than expected. I’d also like to see T. Williams and K. Davis push for starting positions along the OL sooner rather than later. I left Behm out at LB, but I’m sure he’ll have first crack. I don’t think he’ll be able to hold it down though, since Fish was already hot on his tail by the end of 2022. Griffin was active on special teams and it’s time for him to make a leap. It’ll be interesting to see if Darnell can challenge Clark for the backup TE spot. That DE position makes me cringe. If those guys don’t develop/take the next step forward quickly, I feel like we are one injury away from our pass rush being on life support.

Looks that way. I missed it.

I know some freshmen will work their way onto the two deep, especially at the skill positions. I’m just not sure how long it will take for that to happen. Below is my best guess of how things will start out. What does everyone else think? OFFENSE QB: Irons Undercuffler RB: Wiley Lingard WR: Adams Golden WR: George Anderson WR: Thomas Gathings TE: Banks Clark LT: Landers Chambers LG: Banes Robarge C Georges T Williams RG: Kilbane K Davis RT: N Williams Frank DEFENSE DE: R Johnson Cheatom DT: Holt Murphy DT: Thomas T Jones DE: Rabah Richardson LB: Arslanian Griffin LB: McCoy Fish Nickel: Tallandier Lewis CB: Hunter Threatt SS: Thompson Woods FS: Martin C. Thomas CB: Golden-Nelson Durant

Might be one of those situations where Thomas is being slotted at a position where he’ll have the best chance of seeing playing time. I also wouldn’t rule out Thomas being used as a returner or potentially flipped to offense at some point.

Bump for addition of Tallandier, Thomas, and Jester.